According to the latest figures from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), in Chile there were more than 54,000 new cases and more than 28,500 deaths from this disease in 2020. In addition, it is the leading cause of death since 2019.
The impact of the pandemic on this type of pathology also hit our country, since it generated an increase in waiting lists for both treatment and care of cancer patients. In fact, according to the latest report from the Center for Public Policy and Innovation in Health (CIPS), there are 8,141 delayed guarantees that are linked to the diagnosis stage and 3,794 to the treatment stage.
That is why the Chilean Association of Cancer Groups (ACHAGO) together with a group of relatives, made a strong call to the health authorities to solve the problems that affect patients suffering from these diseases, following the case of a girl just 7 years old who was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and who exposed the precarious conditions of care without specialists in the public network and the pending issues in the Cancer Law.
The lack of pediatric oncologists in public services caused a late intervention to leave the minor mutilated and with metastasis in the lymph nodes in one armpit. This case has awakened her interest in helping her from the international medical community, since it is a unique case in the world.
“What we have experienced as a family is very disappointing and we are destroyed. It has been a constant pilgrimage, coming and going, going from hospital to hospital and always with vague and unclear answers. My daughter, who has just turned 7, has had to endure 4 operations and the total removal of her left breast, ”says Patricia Muñoz, mother of the affected patient.
The family member warns that her daughter’s attention has not had the speed and urgency that the seriousness of her case deserves, which affects the entire close nucleus both emotionally and financially. “I lost my job and while that was happening, I also saw how my daughter was getting worse. I have had to fight medical hours for her and suffer door slam after door slam. I don’t give this to anyone and the only thing I hope is to give my little girl a good quality of life. Who helps me now to erase the scars on her body and what to say about the marks that will remain on her heart? What do I do with the psychological damage we have as a family?” she assured.
For his part, Felipe Tagle, president of the Chilean Association of Oncological Groups (ACHAGO) said that the problem lies fundamentally in the Cancer Law, which in his opinion does not exist.
“I was one of the promoters of this law, but we do not have coverage for treatments or medicines. There are no budgets on this item and that is why we are summoned to the Senate Health Commission on March 6 to see precisely the lack of progress with this regulation. The waiting lists continue to increase and the hundreds or thousands of patients maintain the hope of a response to their demands, ”he added.
